An opportunity to make a difference with Connecther's 1000 @$25 Campaign!!

As the year comes to an end, we reflect and look back at 2013. We are thankful for all the wonderful blessings and the wonderful memories. We are thankful for all your support and well wishes. Your continued support will enable us to further fund your projects. Our 1000@$25, campaign is a wonderful way for you to do just that.

Thanks to the Stahl Family Foundation, Gretchen Canter and other generous supporters all donations to 3 featured projects below will be matched up to $2,500!

The one-step purchase of essential medical equipment will allow the Dr. Hawa Abdi General Hospital in Somalia to continue providing life-saving medical care for pregnant mothers and babies. To read more about the Foundation and the work they are doing in Somalia, click here.

Among the goals of the Edna Adan University Hospital in Somaliland is to train 1000 young midwives and then to return them to their communities where they will be able to save the lives of mothers and infants far into the future.

Every dollar donated to this project will be matched up to $2000. Read below for Edna's recent visit to Austin!

This fall, with the help
of Connecther & Strongheart’s
Camps to Campus program, Benafsha Tasmim, the vibrant 23-year-old entered the master’s program
at the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. The program
supports Strongheart Fellows, which brings promising young people like Benafsha
from conflict zones to the United States to pursue higher education
opportunities.

It’s a dream come true for
the self-assured young woman. After she earns her master’s degree, she hopes to
return to Afghanistan and start a nonprofit organization that will help other
Afghan women. In a country where 38 percent of school-age children, most of
them girls, are not in school, training visionary new leaders like Benafsha is
a smart move. Donations to Camps to Campus matched up to $2500!

Highlights from the "Connecther Brunch featuring Edna Adan" Event

On Saturday, October 19th at the Four Season's Hotel in downtown Austin, Edna Adan joined Connecther for an unforgettable and uplifting brunch. Thanks to your support, we were able to present a $10K check to Edna for the incredible work she has been doing to train midwives in Somaliland!

Recently named of the 100 most influential Africans of 2013, by New African Magazine, Edna's work has attracted many celebrities, and notable figures, the likes of Diane Lane, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Mo Farah the Gold Medalist Athlete as well as Noble Peace Prize recipient Leymah Gbowee, to name a few.

We presented Edna with a check of $10,000. She was absolutely thrilled.

Edna Adan was well appreciated with not just this standing ovation. Many crowded around her to store up some of those pearls of wisdom.

We had the equal honor of hosting Khalida Brohi, founder of Sughar - Women with Wings. Connecther founder, Lila, sat down with her. They had a really thought provoking discussion about Honor Killings, and what Khalida is doing to help combat this terrible and unjust practice. Khalida is an inspiration and change maker to women and girls everywhere!

Toyota graciously sponsored two awards of the day - Woman of Impact 2013 which was awarded to Edna Adan & Girl of Impact 2013 which was awarded to Khalida Brohi. Thanks Toyota for all of the work you do to advance women and girls globally!

The Ian Somerhalder (IS) Foundation & Girls Impact the World have partnered to present the inaugural GITW / Green IS Award!

STUDENTS submit your 3–5 minute film on environmental issues that either:
1) propose solutions to environmental issues that impact women and girls OR
2) create awareness about environmental issues that impact women and girls. LEARN MORE HERE!

Women Who Give!

Connecther's "Women Who Give"
- a fantastic group of women committed to advancing women and girls
globally. We are so thankful to Veronica Maxey for her continued support.

"I am passionate about Women helping Women, it empowers both the giver and recipient. The women that Connecther supports are more inclined to have control of their finances which will enhance their quality of life! It's a rewarding inspiration to give resources and time to Connecther!"

Please support Connectherhere. We can not do this work without your support!

As always, we would like to thank YOU for your continued
support for the work we are doing to advance women and children around
the world.

Thanks Farhana Khawar for putting together the Winter 2013 Newsletter!

Upcoming Events

Enter Your Film and Win Great Prizes!!!

Girls Impact the World, a Film Festival co-produced by Connecther.org and the Harvard College Social Innovation Collaborative, is currently accepting student film submissions. Awards ceremony will be held at Harvard College on February 22, 2014. More details available at: Girls Impact the World